Juncos Hollinger Racing has announced that Agustin Canapino will pilot the #78 entry in the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season, contesting all 17 races.
The 32-year-old, nearly 33, will be paired alongside sophomore driver Callum Ilott as the team expands to two cars in the premiere series for the first time and looks to make gains in a competitive field.
Canapino has spent the majority of his racing career driving in various touring car series in his native Argentina, including the TC 2000 Championship and Turismo Carretera series.
He has consistently placed in the top few championship positions in every series he has contested throughout his 17-year racing career, but has had limited experience piloting an open wheel racecar.
Canapino’s car will feature sponsorship from Argentina’s tourism agency, and will sport a ‘Visit Argentina’ livery for the entire season.
“For me, this is a great opportunity, so I am very grateful to Ricardo Juncos, Brad Hollinger, and all the sponsors that are making this possible,” said Canapino.
“I’m going to do my best in every moment to get the best possible results. I’m going in with my mind set on learning and going step-by-step, but I’m also focused on evolving throughout the season. The goal is to finish the races, get to know the car, and the circuits – especially the ovals.
“IndyCar is the most competitive and difficult category in the world, and the cars are the most demanding and require the maximum effort and preparation on my part. I am happy to take on this challenge and I’m motivated to perform well and repay those that have trusted me with this opportunity.”
Canapino has had a relationship with team co-owner Ricardo Juncos for a few years, and even drove for him in a couple IMSA endurance races during the team’s short-lived stint in prototype racing in 2019.
In late 2022, he was given an IndyCar test day with JHR at Sebring before being tasked with driving the car around Circuit Termas de Rio Hondo in a multi-day exhibition run in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Fan turnout for the rare IndyCar demonstration outside the United States was impressive, and showed the high level of enthusiasm Argentinians have for racing.
“To be able to communicate this news today is incredible for me and my team,” said Juncos. “It has been more than 20 years since I came to North American motorsports. It has been a long road of uninterrupted hard work in which I have been fulfilling different dreams, and to see this particular one becoming a reality is truly incredible.
“After a complete analysis of each of the driver options we had to drive our #78 car, we have made the decision that Agustin Canapino is the right choice. Both Brad [Hollinger] and I have full confidence in his ability.
“With a very successful racing career in Argentina behind him, he exceeded all expectations when he trained at Sebring, and he’s confirmed that talent with what we’ve seen in his driving since.”
With this announcement, the only remaining unconfirmed drivers for the 2023 grid are for seats in the second Dale Coyne Racing entry and for the oval portion of Chip Ganassi Racing’s #11.
